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The early recognition of intimate partner violence by paramedics
Author(s) -
Williams Angela,
Williams Brett
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2010.01360.x
Subject(s) - emergency department , citation , medicine , domestic violence , library science , psychiatry , medical emergency , suicide prevention , poison control , computer science
Dear Editor, As intimate partner violence (IPV) is the leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality in women aged 15–45 years of age in Victoria, Australia it is a wonder why it is not addressed in the prehospital setting or in the paramedic health care curriculum. The national and international literature concerning whether paramedics understand IPV or indeed if they should (by virtue of education and training) is limited thus identifying a topic of major concern in Australia. It seems pertinent that as one of the main risk factors to the health and well-being of women, IPV should be recognized and addressed in the prehospital setting. This point is well illustrated by a recent survey from Toronto, Canada by Mason et al. that assessed paramedics’ practice, knowledge of the issue, mistaken assumptions and educational gaps concerning IPV. Their study found that 90% of paramedics had attended at least one IPV call in the preceding year, and two-thirds had attended between 10 and 20 IPV calls. Over 80% of the 480 paramedics sampled wished for more education and training on the issue of IPV. Although there are no comparative studies in Australia, it might be assumed this situation is mirrored here.emm_1360 575